Press release by Texas Instruments, November 9, 1998. The original was on this education.ti.com web page, but the link may not be active.
New York City Public Schools Designated by Texas Instruments and the National Science Foundation to Be First Model for Math and Science Systemic Change Commitment to Establish Model City for Math, Science, and Technology Learning Initiated by Government, Community, and Education Leaders
DALLAS -- November 9, 1998 -- New York City public schools have been selected to be the first model for systemic change by Texas Instruments (TI) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Today, TI and the New York City Board of Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to signify each group's commitment to establishing educational leadership, professional development and communication programs among the 1136 public schools and their communities over the next five years.
"The selection of our public schools to be the country's model is the latest example of the growing, nationwide support in the private and public sectors for our continuing efforts to promote world-class standards for all our students," said Chancellor Rudolph F. Crew. "We welcome this collaboration agreement, which will have a significant impact on teacher development in the areas of math, science and technology."
New York City recently announced the adaptation of the New StandardsT Performance Standards for Mathematics. In doing so, New York City continued to raise the goal of high performance standards in an effort to improve student achievement with the belief that all children can learn.
TI and NSF formed an alliance in September of 1997 to support further systemic improvements in math and science education. The partnership chose New York City to establish a model that could demonstrate the educational efficiency of learning technologies embedded in science and math, and serve as an example to other school systems across the nation.
Essential goals in forming the alliance are to raise the level of achievement in math, science and technology learning for all children and via technology-enabled educational institutions, to share promising practices and lessons learned across the nation. In addition, the MOU supports the professional development of staff to accomplish these goals.
Model city program establishment and administration will be spearheaded by the New York City Urban Systemic Initiative (NYC USI). NYC USI is a collaboration between the Board of Education and City University of New York. The organization has been developing a viable math, science and technology curriculum in addition to building an infrastructure to effectively support the participation and high achievement of more than one million students in the systemic change process.
"TI understands implementing systemic change is no easy task, and we want to help show our support through building and enhancing capacity, professional development, and communication," said Tom Ferrio, vice president at Texas Instruments.
"Having TI's support is tremendous," said Luther S. Williams, director of education and human resources at the National Science Foundation. "Their commitment to promoting mathematics and science literacy is as strong as our own and I have no doubt that together we will make great strides toward our goals."
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